For years, their relationship has been cordial rather than close. In private, Prince Charles would say of his younger brother Prince Andrew that ‘he wants to be me’. While for his part Andrew would complain that Charles’s plans for a slimmed-down monarchy were targeted at him and his family.
Now there are signs of an intriguing rapprochement between the siblings - born more than 12 years apart - thanks to the friendship the Duchess of Cornwall has been showing towards Andrew’s daughters, Beatrice and Eugenie. ‘Camilla has made a point of being nice to the two princesses at family events and Andrew is very grateful for that,’ a source said.
However, one problem continues to divide the brothers: the thorny issue of what position the girls should have in royal life. ‘Andrew is very stubborn about this, just as he has been about them continuing to have police protection,’ explains a friend. ‘His view is that as the current working members of the family age, Beatrice and Eugenie - who are fifth and sixth in the line of succession - will be required to have roles.’
Charles is doubtful and supports those who believe the girls need to make their own way in the world.
Senior aides are also thought to favour this. ‘Recently, the example of Chelsea Clinton was cited to Andrew,’ contibues the source. ‘It was pointed out how she was often front-page news - like his daughters - until she went to work for management consultants McKinsey.’ The firm, he was told, not only provided her with a career, but could also protect her, so she was no longer so high profile.
It was also explained that their protection worked in another way: by not tolerating a party lifestyle because it was bad for the company’s image. ‘The subtle message was that were the princesses to work for big companies, they would be told what they could or more importantly couldn’t do in a way royal advisers cannot,’ says the friend. Andrew, who is standing down as UK trade ambassador, does have one further mission — to prove to his older brother he continues to do valuable work for the monarchy. ‘Andrew wants his brother to recognise what he does, too,’ a source said.
Now there are signs of an intriguing rapprochement between the siblings - born more than 12 years apart - thanks to the friendship the Duchess of Cornwall has been showing towards Andrew’s daughters, Beatrice and Eugenie. ‘Camilla has made a point of being nice to the two princesses at family events and Andrew is very grateful for that,’ a source said.
However, one problem continues to divide the brothers: the thorny issue of what position the girls should have in royal life. ‘Andrew is very stubborn about this, just as he has been about them continuing to have police protection,’ explains a friend. ‘His view is that as the current working members of the family age, Beatrice and Eugenie - who are fifth and sixth in the line of succession - will be required to have roles.’
Charles is doubtful and supports those who believe the girls need to make their own way in the world.
Senior aides are also thought to favour this. ‘Recently, the example of Chelsea Clinton was cited to Andrew,’ contibues the source. ‘It was pointed out how she was often front-page news - like his daughters - until she went to work for management consultants McKinsey.’ The firm, he was told, not only provided her with a career, but could also protect her, so she was no longer so high profile.
It was also explained that their protection worked in another way: by not tolerating a party lifestyle because it was bad for the company’s image. ‘The subtle message was that were the princesses to work for big companies, they would be told what they could or more importantly couldn’t do in a way royal advisers cannot,’ says the friend. Andrew, who is standing down as UK trade ambassador, does have one further mission — to prove to his older brother he continues to do valuable work for the monarchy. ‘Andrew wants his brother to recognise what he does, too,’ a source said.
